Blog | MountVacation.com

Just because the winter is over, it doesn’t mean that you don’t want to still hit the slopes. Unless you choose to go up high, skiing in the summer can be difficult but it shouldn’t stop you from heading to the mountains.

Most resorts have accommodations for the rugged outdoor adventurer in lieu of ski and snowboard vacationers. Many resorts are open 24/7/365. Like suggested before, it’s best to make reservations and book ahead ‘cause you certainly won’t be the only one to think of mounting up and hitting the trails by bike. Here are some of the most interesting places to go mountain biking, once the snow melts and the ski bunnies pack up for home.

Saalbach, Austria: This area of Austria is a great place to off-terrain ride. The area is set up with an already-existing 700+ km bike routes and another ~500 in the mountains and the valleys respectively. Everyone agrees Austrians (and those who visit) are hardcore. The Saalbach Hinterglemm takes the number one spot because it encompasses several bike parks, cable car networks and mountains/valleys—five in all—into one ticket, aptly named the GraVity Ticket. It also presents the advantage of usually not be overcrowded.

Chamonix, France: Everyone knows the French are totally into hiking and trekking and road bike racing. However, there are plenty of places in France where the mountain biker is a respected athlete. I tend to hit up Chamonix before the hordes of Paris residents decide it’s time to take a scoot in the country come July and August. In fact, many single-track rides are only open before this summer influx of Parisians. That said, the French also love maps and making maps. They make some par excellence maps of the area. A visit to the local tourist office will get you hooked up. The gullies are great for beginners and the experts will have some technical challenges climbing out of the valleys.

Les Deux Alpes, France: VTT, translated means mountain biking (or Velo Tout Terrain), is a big deal in this part of France. There’s pretty much something involving a bike at each and every weekend juncture. I love to VTT ride all day and then settle down with a glass of merlot, bleeding steak and live renditions of 80s music (common at small town festivals for some reason). With Fifi (the poodle) never far off, we make small talk through the whole night. At any rate, there’s plenty of “official” and “unofficial” bike trails. The FFC has over 125 km marked, with 20 downhill and 15 cross-country rides. This is a fantastic replacement to a ski holiday. I often bring a helmet camera to capture the rides for You Tube and Facebook.

Trois Vallées, France: The Three Valleys in France include the known Meribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Courchevel, and et al. Of course, there are plenty of other villages strewn about the valleys too. When I’m beat but want to get out, I often catch one of the seemingly hundreds of lifts and head to the top for some panoramic downhill trails. I go home less tired but still content on an easier day’s riding. Reservations can be made at any one of the more central ski resorts but don’t be fooled: it is preferable to book in advance as hikers come from far and wide to soak in the scenery.

Any top European mountain bike destination missing from this list?